Vaporizer cartridge with movable wall

ABSTRACT

This disclosure describes a personal vaporizer such as an electronic cigarette, a vape pen, vape kits, e-cig, e-hookah, or other electronic nicotine delivery system that includes a movable wall in the cartridge for more reliable substance delivery. In many personal vaporizers, a wick transports the substance to be atomized from a reservoir to an atomization chamber via capillary action. These cartridges rely on gravity to ensure the wick is properly wetted during use, in order to prevent damage to the wick material. In certain instances, gravity is not suitable for feeding a wick, for example with substances that do not flow freely in the cartridge. In these instances, a movable wall, e.g., a ceiling or other wall, for mechanically forcing the substance onto the wick, or preventing voids or air pockets from forming in undesirable locations is desired.

BACKGROUND

Personal vaporizers provide an alternative to smoking techniques, which involve combustion of organic matter and inhalation of the smoke. Instead, vaporizers atomize a substance (e.g., a nicotine substance or cannabis substance) using a heating element to simulate the combustion found in traditional cigarettes. Personal vaporizers often use removable/replaceable cartridges containing a substance for atomization. Substances for atomization can have a range of varying properties.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure encompasses systems, methods, and an apparatus for inhaling vaporized substances. A personal vaporizer cartridge is disclosed with a housing that includes a shell and a base. The housing is configured to couple with a body of a personal vaporizer. The cartridge includes a reservoir defined by the housing, and configured to contain a substance to be vaporized. A wick configured to transport the substance to be vaporized from the reservoir to an atomization chamber is provided within the housing. The cartridge includes a chimney extending axially from the atomization chamber, through the reservoir and shell to an aerosol outlet. The chimney forming a channel between the atomization chamber and a space external to the cartridge. The cartridge further includes a hollow screw enclosing a portion of the chimney and configured to rotate about a first axis that is parallel to an axis defined by the chimney. A movable wall is provided within the cartridge. The moveable wall engaging threads of the hollow screw and configured to translate along the first axis when the hollow screw is rotated, the movable wall surrounding the chimney and configured to alter a volume of the reservoir when it translates.

Implementations can optionally include one or more of the following features.

In some instances, the cartridge includes a fixed wall that is positioned between the movable wall and the aerosol outlet. The fixed wall including an equalization port that is configured to permit pressure equalization between the space external to the cartridge and a volume between the movable wall and the fixed wall.

In some instances, the shell is a transparent or translucent material.

In some instances, the atomization chamber is configured to atomize the substance to be vaporized and generate an aerosol, the atomization chamber including a heating element and an air inlet to allow airflow through the atomization chamber into the chimney.

In some instances, the hollow screw is coupled to an adjustment knob that is operable by a user to rotate the hollow screw about the first axis.

In some instances, the movable wall is coated with a sealant. In some instances, the sealant is a silicon based coating.

This disclosure further describes a method for adjusting reservoir volume in a personal vaporizer cartridge, the method including rotating a hollow screw that encloses a portion of a chimney, the chimney extending from an atomization chamber axially, through a reservoir and a housing to an aerosol outlet. Rotating the hollow screw causes a movable wall that is engaged with threads of the hollow screw to translate axially along the chimney, the translation of the movable wall altering a volume of the reservoir.

The details of these and other aspects are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic half cross-sectional view of an example personal vaporizer, with some internals shown.

FIG. 2 is a partial half cross-sectional view of an example vaporizer cartridge with a movable wall.

FIGS. 3A and 3B is a partial half cross-sectional view of an example vaporizer cartridge with a movable wall in different positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure describes a personal vaporizer such as an electronic cigarette, a vape pen, vape kits, e-cig, e-hookah, or other electronic nicotine delivery system that includes a movable wall in the cartridge for more reliable substance delivery. Personal vaporizers can provide substances (e.g., nicotine, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Cannabidiol (CBD), etc.). Some substances have higher viscosity than others, or are otherwise less susceptible to flowing freely in a personal vaporizer cartridge. For example, CBD oil can have waxy properties, and a high surface tension, which can cause it to stick to the sides and top of a container, and allow voids to form in places that a more free-flowing substance would not. In many personal vaporizers, a wick transports the substance to be atomized from a reservoir to an atomization chamber via capillary action. These cartridges rely on gravity to ensure the wick is properly wetted during use, in order to prevent damage to the wick material. In certain instances, gravity is not suitable for feeding a wick, for example with substances that do not flow freely in the cartridge. In these instances, a movable wall, e.g., a ceiling or other wall, for mechanically forcing the substance onto the wick, or preventing voids or air pockets from forming in undesirable locations is desired.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic partial half cross-sectional view of an example personal vaporizer 100, with some internals shown. Personal vaporizer 100 includes a body portion 102, cartridge 104, and mouthpiece 106. In the illustrated implementation, the mouthpiece 106 is integral to the cartridge 104. In the illustrated implementation, the cartridge 104 is removable from the body 102 via a coupler 108. The coupler 108 can have two parts, one that is part of the cartridge portion or mouthpiece portion 106 and one that is part of the body portion 102, e.g., one part being female and configured to receive the other, male, part. The coupler 108 can be, for example, threads, a lug/channel connector, a recessed magnetic connector, or other suitable manner for coupling the two portions of the personal vaporizer 100. In addition, an electrical connection can also be facilitated in the connection between the coupler 108. Similarly, in some instances, the mouthpiece 106 is removable from the cartridge 104 via a similar coupler or a different coupler (not shown).

The body 102 includes a power source 110, which can provide electrical power to control circuits 112, and a heating element in the atomization chamber 114. In certain instances, the power source 110 includes a battery, such as a lithium ion (Li-ion), nickel metal hydride (NiMH), Alkaline or other battery. In some implementations, the battery is user replaceable. In some implementations, the battery is integrated with the body 102. In some implementations, power source 110 also includes charging circuitry required for recharging the battery. A charging port (not shown) can be provided on the body 102, to allow recharging of the power source 110 as well as communications between the personal vaporizer 100 and external systems. The charging port can be, for example, a USB-C, Micro-USB, 2.5 mm port, or other suitable port for providing electrical power and/or data to the personal vaporizer 100.

Control circuitry 112 includes necessary circuitry to operate the personal vaporizer 100. Control circuitry 112 can include one or more microcontrollers and/or analog circuits, as well as sensors for operation. A puff sensor in the control circuitry 112, detects whether or not a user is drawing on the mouthpiece. In certain instances, the puff sensor is a microphone, or a diaphragm based pressure sensor or other pressure sensor, and/or another type of puff sensor. In some implementations, the control circuitry 112 can detect whether or not a cartridge is installed. In some instances, the control circuitry 112 can communicate systems external to the personal vaporizer 100. For example, control circuitry 112 provides data, including battery state of charge, remaining substance level in the cartridge, and/or other data to a user's mobile device (e.g., via bluetooth, WIFI, or USB connection).

Cartridge 104 includes an atomization chamber 114, through which air flows past a heating element and a wick that is exposed to a substance to be atomized. The atomized vapor can leave the vaporization chamber with the flowing air through a passage or chimney 116. Cartridge 104 further includes a reservoir that contains the substance to be atomized. In some implementations, a puff sensor is located in the cartridge 104, and communicates with control circuitry 112 when the cartridge 104 is coupled with the body 102. One or more air inlet vents 118 are provided on the cartridge 104 for allowing airflow into the cartridge 104 when the user draws air through the personal vaporizer 100. In some implementations, the reservoir includes a clear or translucent window 120 to the exterior of the cartridge 104 for visually determining the amount of substance within the reservoir. While illustrated as a relatively small window 120, in some implementations, an external shell of the cartridge 104 is formed of a translucent or transparent material, resulting in a window 120 that covers a majority of the exterior of the cartridge 104.

Mouthpiece 106 includes the chimney 116 and provides a flow path through the atomization chamber 114 into the user's mouth when the mouthpiece is coupled to the cartridge 104. The mouthpiece 106 can have a rubberized or textured outer surface to increase comfort and aid in the user achieving a seal between the mouthpiece 106 and their lips.

FIG. 2 is a partial half cross-sectional view of an example vaporizer cartridge with a movable wall. The cartridge 200 can be similar to, or different from, cartridge 104 as described with respect to FIG. 1 . Cartridge 200 includes a base 204 and a shell 202 which form a housing that structurally supports the components within. An atomization chamber 214 and chimney 216 are located near the center of the base, the chimney 216 extending upward through the shell 202 to an aerosol outlet 234. The chimney 216 defines a chimney axis 236, along which the movable wall 226 translates. A space bound by the chimney 216, atomization chamber 214, shell 202 and movable wall 226 (shown here as a ceiling) is a reservoir 220 which can contain a substance to be vaporized.

Cartridge 200 connects to a body or base portion of a personal vaporizer using coupler 208 (not shown in cross-section), which can thread, snap, or otherwise mate with the body portion. In some implementations, the coupler 208 includes electrical connectors which pass communications and/or power. The electrical connectors allow sensors or actuators in the cartridge 200 to be used or manipulated by the body portion of the personal vaporizer. Additionally, coupler 208 can include electrical connectors to allow the body portion of the personal vaporizer to provide power to and energize a heating element 212, which atomizes fluid that has been drawn from the reservoir 220 into the wick 210 via capillary action.

A hollow screw 224 (not shown in cross-section) can be positioned to encircle the chimney and pass up along the chimney through the movable ceiling 226, fixed ceiling 228, and to an adjustment knob 232 (not shown in cross-section). Threads on the outer surface of the screw 224 threadingly engage with corresponding threads of the movable ceiling 226. The user can rotate the adjustment knob 232 which, in some implementations, protrudes from the cartridge 200 and is textured to provide grip to the user. Rotating the adjustment knob 232 causes the hollow screw 224 to rotate, driving the movable ceiling 226 upward toward the fixed ceiling 228 or downward toward the bottom of the reservoir 220, since the movable ceiling 226 engages threads on the hollow screw 224. In some implementations, the hollow screw 224, adjustment knob 232, and the chimney 216 are formed of a single component, and the chimney rotates with the hollow screw 224. In some instances, the hollow screw encircles both the chimney 216, and the movable ceiling 226. In these instances, the hollow screw can include threads on the inner surface, which engage with an outer rim of the movable ceiling 226. In some implementations, hollow screw 224 is formed of a self-lubricating polymer (e.g., high density polyethylene) or other plastic. In some implementations, hollow screw 226 is metal (e.g., aluminum, steel, brass, etc.).

Movable ceiling 226 can be shaped to fit within the shell 202 and form a seal or near, constraining the substance to be atomized to the reservoir 220. The seal between the movable ceiling 226 and the inner wall of the shell 202 entirely or substantially seals against passage of the substance in the reservoir 220 past the movable ceiling 226 in typical conditions that the cartridge 200 will be subjected to. In some implementations, movable ceiling 228 is coated with a sealing material (e.g., an elastic material, such as silicon or rubber, or another sealing material) to effect the seal. In some implementations, the movable ceiling 226 has a sealing device (not shown), such as a gasket, O-ring or other seal, positioned between the exterior of the movable ceiling 226 and the shell 202. Moveable ceiling 226 can traverse upward or downward based on the direction of rotation of the hollow screw 224, changing the available volume of the reservoir 220. In this manner, if substance in the reservoir 220 is not in contact with the wick 210, the movable ceiling 226 can be lowered, removing void space (e.g., compressing air or other gas) from the reservoir 220 and forcing the substance onto the wick 210.

In some implementations, a fixed ceiling 228 positioned above the movable ceiling 226 can ensure the substance is contained within the cartridge and provide structural support to the shell 202. In some implementations, the fixed ceiling 228 acts as a physical stop to the movable ceiling 226, preventing it from being raised too high. In certain instances, an equalization port 230 can be located in the fixed ceiling 228 which can allow airflow and equalization of pressures between the ambient atmosphere and the area between the movable ceiling 226 and the fixed ceiling 228. In some implementations, the port 230 can incorporate a valve, orifice or another device to limit leakage of fluid from the shell 202. In certain instances, port 230, is a vent which allows gas to pass, while inhibiting liquid. For example, port 230 can include one or more micro-orifices, or a semi-permeable membrane, which allows air to pass, but prevents leakage of the substance within the reservoir.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an example vaporizer cartridge 300 with a movable ceiling in different positions. The cartridge 300 of FIG. 3A contains a substance 304 as indicated by the shaded region. Because of the properties of the substance, voids 302 have formed near the wick. The voids 302 can be air pockets or gas pockets (e.g., evaporated substance) that inhibit capillary transportation of the substance to the atomization chamber 314. If the user were to attempt to draw atomized vapor from the cartridge 300 in FIG. 3A, the heating element could overheat the un-wetted wick, causing a foul taste/smell or damage to the cartridge 300.

FIG. 3B illustrates the cartridge 300 after the user has lowered movable ceiling 326, compressing substance 304, wetting the wick, and removing voids 302.

Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. 

1. A personal vaporizer cartridge comprising: a housing comprising a shell and a base, the housing configured to couple with a body of a personal vaporizer; a reservoir defined by the housing, and configured to contain a substance to be vaporized; a wick configured to transport the substance from the reservoir to an atomization chamber, the wick and substance within the housing; a chimney extending axially from the atomization chamber, through the reservoir and the shell to an aerosol outlet, the chimney forming a channel between the atomization chamber and a space external to the cartridge; a hollow screw enclosing a portion of the chimney and configured to rotate about a first axis that is parallel to an axis defined by the chimney; and a movable wall engaged with threads of the hollow screw and configured to translate along the first axis when the hollow screw is rotated, the movable wall surrounding the chimney and configured to alter a volume of the reservoir when it translates.
 2. The cartridge of claim 1, comprising a fixed wall, positioned between the movable wall and the aerosol outlet, wherein the fixed wall comprises an equalization port configured to permit pressure equalization between the space external to the cartridge and a volume between the movable wall and the fixed wall.
 3. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the shell is a transparent or translucent material.
 4. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the atomization chamber is configured to atomize the substance to be vaporized and generate an aerosol, the atomization chamber comprising: a heating element; and an air inlet to allow airflow through the atomization chamber into the chimney.
 5. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the hollow screw is coupled to an adjustment knob, operable by a user to rotate the hollow screw about the first axis.
 6. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the movable wall is coated with a sealant.
 7. The cartridge of claim 6, wherein the sealant is a silicon based coating.
 8. A method for adjusting reservoir volume in a personal vaporizer cartridge, the method comprising: rotating a hollow screw, the hollow screw enclosing a portion of a chimney that extends from an atomization chamber axially, through a reservoir and a housing to an aerosol outlet, wherein the reservoir contains a substance; wherein rotating the hollow screw causes a movable wall that is engaged with threads of the hollow screw to translate axially along the chimney, and wherein translation of the movable wall alters a volume of the reservoir.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the cartridge comprises a fixed wall, positioned between the movable wall and the aerosol outlet, wherein the fixed wall comprises an equalization port configured to permit pressure equalization between a space external to the cartridge and a volume between the movable wall and the fixed wall.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the housing comprises a transparent or translucent material.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the atomization chamber is configured to atomize the substance and generate an aerosol, the atomization chamber comprising: a heating element; and an air inlet to allow airflow through the atomization chamber into the chimney.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein rotating the hollow screw comprises rotating and an adjustment knob coupled to the hollow screw, the adjustment knob operable by a user.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein the movable wall is coated with a sealant.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the sealant is a silicon based coating.
 15. A system for delivering atomized substance from a personal vaporizer cartridge, the system comprising: a housing comprising a shell and a base, the housing configured to couple with a body of a personal vaporizer; a reservoir defined by the housing, and configured to contain a substance to be vaporized; a wick configured to transport the substance from the reservoir to an atomization chamber, the wick and substance within the housing; a chimney extending axially from the atomization chamber, through the reservoir and the shell to an aerosol outlet, the chimney forming a channel between the atomization chamber and a space external to the cartridge; a hollow screw enclosing a portion of the chimney and configured to rotate about a first axis that is parallel to an axis defined by the chimney; and a movable wall engaged with threads of the hollow screw and configured to translate along the first axis when the hollow screw is rotated, the movable wall surrounding the chimney and configured to alter a volume of the reservoir when it translates.
 16. The system of claim 15, comprising a fixed wall, positioned between the movable wall and the aerosol outlet, wherein the fixed wall comprises an equalization port configured to permit pressure equalization between the space external to the cartridge and a volume between the movable wall and the fixed wall.
 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the shell is a transparent or translucent material.
 18. The system of claim 15, wherein the atomization chamber is configured to atomize the substance to be vaporized and generate an aerosol, the atomization chamber comprising: a heating element; and an air inlet to allow airflow through the atomization chamber into the chimney.
 19. The system of claim 15, wherein the hollow screw is coupled to an adjustment knob, operable by a user to rotate the hollow screw about the first axis.
 20. The system of claim 15, wherein the movable wall is coated with a sealant. 